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cnbc.com
U.S. Treasury yields fall as energy prices pull back
Bond yields fell on Tuesday as investors await more economic data releases this week.
theguardian.com
JPMorgan misses profit expectations as bank boss warns of ‘large fiscal deficits’ and ‘sticky inflation’ - business live
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsUK government bonds are rallying this morning, after the IMF said it had increased its growth forecast for the country this year.Yields (which fall when bond prices rise) are down by about 5 basis points for the 10-year gilt, and down by 4 basis points for the 5-year. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Oil prices fall as traders assess Russian diesel supply prospects and Saudi-Houthi conflict
Oil prices fell as investors assess potential supply disruptions against prospects of more Russian diesel entering global markets.
cnbc.com
Micron drops 5% as tech stocks rattled by China chip breakthrough claims
Technology stocks tumbled Tuesday as a sell-off in U.S. semiconductor shares spilled into Asian and European markets.
cnbc.com
World Bank jobs council urges 'crisis-era' employment support measures as IMF warns of AI ‘tsunami’
IMF Chief Kristalina Georgieva warned AI is hitting the global labor market like a “slow-moving tsunami,” with young workers entering the job market the most exposed.
cnbc.com
Six Flags shares decline following report of deadly roller coaster incident
One person died and several others were injured in an incident involving the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, according to reports.
cnbc.com
Why this little known Chinese chipmaker has caused a global stock rout
China's leading memory chipmaker CXMT has reportedly made progress on new designs.
bbc.co.uk
Car finance compensation payments delayed until next year
Millions could be entitled to compensation as a result of commission arrangements between lenders and dealers.
cnbc.com
French supermarket fridges get hacked, heating to 122°F and sparking fires
Hackers targeted hundreds of French supermarkets in a large-scale cyberattack, causing refrigerators to overheat, spoiling food, and sparking fires.
cnbc.com
As 'Cockroach' protests grow over alleged voter fraud, Modi defends India as ‘mother of democracy’
Protests in India demanding the removal of the chief election commissioner for alleged voter fraud have intensified.
bbc.co.uk
Poundland in rescue talks as owners seek buyer
The leadership team is attempting a buyout, but a union has warned the retailer could fall into administration instead.
theguardian.com
Hobbs and Whistles owner investigates hack that may have exposed customer data
Cyber-attack on TFG London comes less than a week after online fashion seller Asos was hit by hackersBusiness live – latest updatesThe owner of Phase Eight, Hobbs and Whistles has said its websites and IT systems have been hit by a cyber-attack that may have compromised customers’ personal data.The South-African listed TFG London said it identified the “cybersecurity incident” at the three UK-based retail chains on Sunday. Its two other UK brands, Inside Story and White Stuff, are not affected. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Burnham’s Your First Home scheme ‘could boost Bellway’s house output by 10%’
Help-to-buy initiative for England could slow market while first-time buyers wait for launch, builder admitsBusiness live – latest updatesThe new Your First Home programme for first-time buyers could increase the number of houses British builder Bellway produces each year by 10%, its boss has said.Faced with a chronic shortage of homes, the government has made housing one of its top priorities and Andy Burnham’s surprise announcement of the YFH scheme a fortnight ago sent housebuilders’ shares soaring by more than 10%. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Three things we've learnt about the UK economy from the IMF
The influential economics body has upgraded its UK growth forecast for this year, but risks remain.
cnbc.com
Iran reportedly fortifies nuclear sites as it prepares for possible U.S. strikes after midterms
A Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis – a Yemeni militant group backed by Tehran – said it had intercepted another attack on Riyadh.
bbc.co.uk
BA flight forced to turn back over cracked window
British Airways said the plane landed safely at Gatwick and passengers were due to resume their journey.
theguardian.com
UK shoppers seek deals as grocery price inflation rises again
Price of chocolates falls in run-up to Halloween, while supermarkets use special offers to draw in salesBusiness live – latest updatesGrocery price inflation in the UK has picked up further, prompting shoppers to turn to special offers to keep their bills down – while the price of chocolates has fallen in the run-up to Halloween.Supermarket prices were 2.5% higher than last year in the four weeks to 4 October, up from 2.3% last month, according to data from the retail analysts Worldpanel by Numerator. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
UnitedHealth Group tops estimates, hikes profit outlook as insurer manages high medical costs
UnitedHealth Group said it expects 2026 adjusted earnings of at least $20.50 per share, up from a previous outlook of $19.50 to $20.00 per share.
cnbc.com
In charts: How one of the world's biggest economies got trapped by debt
France opens debate on its 2027 budget as high deficits, rising debt and student protests intensify pressure on lawmakers.
theguardian.com
Chip stocks slide after Broadcom boss likens AI investing to ‘casino’
Asian markets fall and Samsung shares tumble after its Chinese rival CXMT claims strong progressBusiness live – latest updatesShares in semiconductor companies fell on Tuesday after the boss of Broadcom compared many AI investors to “casino” gamblers, and the Chinese memory chip maker CXMT said it had made good progress on a new chip architecture.South Korea’s benchmark Kospi index tumbled 6.25% as investors dumped chip stocks, while other Asian markets were also lower. Japan’s Nikkei fell 1.8% and the Taiwan exchange lost almost 2%, with the country’s chip maker TSMC down by a similar amount. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
UK growth forecast upgraded but higher energy prices to hit economy next year
The prediction from the IMF comes as final preparations are being made for the first Budget under Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
bbc.co.uk
Phase Eight and Hobbs owner hit by cyber-attack, as H&M probes separate hack claim
TFG London has apologised to customers for disruption after it identified a "cybersecurity incident" on Sunday.
theguardian.com
UK holiday demand may have peaked amid cost of living squeeze, says travel industry
Spain remains most popular destination as Britons book later in hope of better deals, Abta report findsBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK’s cost of living squeeze means fewer people plan to ringfence money for holidays abroad next year, the travel industry has warned.Despite war, wildfires and EES border checks, the numbers of Britons taking holidays climbed back to pre-pandemic levels this year – but rising costs may mean the numbers have peaked, according to an annual travel industry report on Tuesday. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Trump 'not happy' with Kimberly Guilfoyle, weighs firing her as ambassador to Greece
The former Fox News personality Guilfoyle was previously engaged to the president's son, Donald Trump Jr.
cnbc.com
Anthropic warns AI models could soon copy themselves across home devices
Anthropic's latest research adds to the growing safety concerns around AI from the ability for models to carry out cyberattacks to the technology going rogue.
theguardian.com
IMF raises UK growth forecast as economist says Healey should ‘stay the course’
Fund upgrades UK’s GDP growth forecast for 2026 to 1.3%, but says it is likely to edge down next yearIMF warns global economy ‘could soon test the limits of resilience’John Healey should “stay the course” and continue repairing the UK’s public finances, the International Monetary Fund’s top economist has said, after the fund lifted its growth forecast for Britain.Little more than a fortnight before Healey’s first budget, Silvana Tenreyro, the IMF’s economic counsellor, said the UK “stands out” among G7 countries in having a plan to narrow its deficit. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: 'Boring' trumps disorder and volatility
Some warning lights are flashing on the global economy dashboard.
cnbc.com
Visa gets Beijing's green light for bank card business after 40 years of working with China
The incremental approval comes as the U.S. and Chinese presidents are due to meet for a third time this year next month.
theguardian.com
BT charged me for more than a year despite landline being dead
It is billing £32.99 a month but I have had no functioning phone line since it switched me to Digital VoiceI’ve had no landline since May 2025 when BT switched it to Digital Voice. Weeks passed, and each call to BT involved at least an hour waiting on hold and answering security questions before being passed between departments.Eventually, last December, two engineers were sent and discovered that a wire had been severed during the upgrade. They said they needed a cherry picker to reconnect it to its original location and would return. They did not. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘People sell their best stuff on Vinted’ – how charity shops became a dumping ground for unsellable clothes
Swamped with ‘daily avalanches’ of soiled items and poor-quality fast fashion, secondhand stores are in crisis. What went wrong with people’s good intentions? And is it possible to donate more effectively?The small stockroom of St Raphael’s Hospice charity shop in Cheam, south London, is rammed with donations. “On average, we get 30 to 50 bags a day,” says Caroline Worley, the commercial manager, “but it’s not unusual to receive over 100.” This might sound like a good problem to have, but the sheer volume of stuff is the shop’s biggest challenge. “Sometimes, there’s only [enough] floor space to tiptoe,” says 48-year-old store manager, Colin French.Rummaging through the donations, it’s clear that much is unsaleable: a smelly, soiled bathrobe, tatty trainers, heavily bobbled jumpers, old socks, an empty Swarovski jewellery case. “Absolutely typical,” says Worley. They’re also overwhelmed with deluges of low-quality fashion – a shift in donation habits that accelerated during Covid, because, says Worley, all that time at home enabled people to sell their best stuff on Vinted. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Cost of living struggles inspire 'social supermarket'
New social supermarket offers cheaper groceries with dignity and choice.
theguardian.com
Lobbying, lawyers and a media blitz: the fight to kill the Church of England’s £100m slavery compensation fund
Some of Britain’s wealthiest financiers, including Sir Paul Marshall, have given a platform to critical coverage or are linked to its leading opponent“This is virtue signalling,” said Nigel Biggar. “These are elites who are trying to demonstrate that they are being progressive.”The target of his scorn was one that has obsessed him for years: the movement to pay reparations for the slave trade, and specifically the Church of England’s plan to spend £100m atoning for its involvement. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
IMF warns bond yields could see a 'disorderly' spike as debt, inflation risks worsen
The IMF says risks in the government bond market have worsened and that yields could jump sharply and disorderly.
cnbc.com
IMF sees milder global slowdown as AI boom offsets war hit — warns resilience is nearing limits
The IMF raised its 2026 global growth forecast to 3.1%, warning that resilience is tested by energy constraints and looming fiscal risks.
theguardian.com
French supermarket director apologises after cyber-attack spoils fresh and frozen food - video
A cyber-attack caused refrigeration temperatures to soar to 50C overnight on Monday across several hundred French supermarkets, with widespread food losses reported. At Intermarché La Haye, the attack caused fridge temperatures to reach 27C (80F), spoiling fresh and frozen food, according to store director Julien Freret. 'Today, we have a total loss of fresh and frozen,' Freret said, apologising to customers and describing the incident as 'an enormous loss of products'Hackers force French supermarket fridges to heat up to 50C in ‘unprecedented’ cyber-attack Continue reading...
cnbc.com
How Red Bull's F1 team is using AI to make split-second decisions for Max Verstappen
Red Bull Racing is increasingly using AI to help make real-time Formula 1 race decisions, but the team says human judgment remains essential.
bbc.co.uk
Dating app Bumble in $1bn takeover talks, say reports
The dating app which recently ditched its "women-first" chat rule could be bought by an investment firm.
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Trump defends diesel deal
Trump defended temporarily easing sanctions on Russian diesel despite bipartisan criticism.
cnbc.com
'Boring is not bad': CEO of Southeast Asia's largest bank pitches Singapore as a haven amid global turmoil
Singapore is a bastion of safety amid global turmoil, according to the CEO of DBS.
cnbc.com
Singapore PM Wong rejects weaker currency as shortcut to competitiveness
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong pushed back against the idea of weakening the city-state's currency to boost competitiveness.
bbc.co.uk
Publicly owned rail is popular. But is it making the trains run on time?
Meeting travellers' expectations could be challenging, experts warn.
bbc.co.uk
Heating oil customers face tough winter despite shake-up promise
Heating oil customers facing soaring bills are promised better regulation of the sector by the government.
bbc.co.uk
I earn £120,000 a year making social media videos go viral
Social media "clippers" make short, vertical videos that appear on the likes of Instagram and TikTok.
cnbc.com
CNBC's The China Connection newsletter: How a gold-buying spree helps the yuan go global
Plans to develop a gold trading hub in Hong Kong coincide with China's growing gold reserves.
cnbc.com
Elon Musk gives $276 million to Republican groups, becomes biggest known 2026 midterm donor
Musk’s record midterm election spending comes as the Tesla and SpaceX CEO rebuilds his relationship with Trump and has business ties to the federal government.
cnbc.com
Trump defends Russia diesel deal after bipartisan pushback: 'I made the right choice'
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the U.S. easing sanctions on Moscow "plays into Russia's hands."
bbc.co.uk
Fridges in French supermarkets hit by cyber attack
Hundreds of stores were targeted by the overnight hack, which spoiled fresh and frozen food estimated to be worth millions of euros.
cnbc.com
The bull market turned 4 years old on Monday. Investors say reaching a fifth birthday could be challenging
The S&P 500 has climbed almost 120% since its closing low on Oct. 12, 2022.
theguardian.com
When AI is subject to less regulation than your fridge, something is startlingly wrong | Richard Hermer
Let’s be clear: the risk to humanity is unprecedented. Without an urgent public debate and robust use of international law, we will lose control of the futureIn my two years as attorney general, I spent more time working on national security than any other issue. The range and gravity of the threats posed to our nation are multifold, from terrorism, armed conflicts and nuclear proliferation, to the impacts of financial insecurity and the climate crisis. All profound challenges, yet ones our superb intelligence and defence communities are well placed to counter. The risk from AI is of an altogether different magnitude, not only in scale, but also because there is a limited time window to address it. The risk is difficult to overestimate: it poses an existential risk to humanity. The lights are flashing red and we must act now before it’s too late.Although the extraordinary threats posed by AI have long been flagged by those closely involved in its creation, it was not until very recently, after the disclosure of the Hugging Face hack and the resignation of Jacob Coxon from Anthropic, that the issue at last started to gain traction in the public discourse. This moment is an opportunity, and to capitalise on it we desperately need increased urgency in international coordination to regulate frontier AI. There must also be meaningful public engagement with how AI should be shaped to benefit humanity, rather than entrench the power of a few. We cannot leave this to China, the US and big tech – we must all demand a voice in the debate. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Stellantis and Renault back UK to get EU car industry protection
Bosses of Citroën owner and French carmaker also urge UK government to consider limiting imports from ChinaStellantis and Renault have backed the UK car industry for inclusion in proposed rules to protect EU industry, but urged the British government to consider limiting imports of Chinese cars.Emanuele Cappellano, who leads Stellantis’s European brands including Fiat, Citroën, Opel and Vauxhall, and François Provost, the chief executive of France’s Renault, said the UK should effectively be counted as one of the EU’s 27 member states for the purposes of the proposed “Made in Europe” legislation. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Trump rewards Putin and betrays Ukraine with Russia diesel deal - The Latest
Donald Trump’s deal to buy Russian diesel has been met with fury from Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said it was ‘a weak decision’ and would generate ‘billions’ in extra revenue for Putin’s war effort. The Ukrainian president has also rejected US calls for an ‘energy ceasefire’, which would require Kyiv to stop striking oil refineries, saying Moscow must first end its attacks on energy infrastructure. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s senior international correspondent, Luke Harding – watch on YouTube Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
What are your rights on auto-renew subscriptions?
Martin has advice for listeners caught out by auto-renewing subscriptions, explaining what rights consumers have and whether there's a way to challenge the renewal or cancel.
cnbc.com
FAA warns U.S. airlines of safety risks over Saudi Arabia after attacks
The FAA warned U.S. airlines about flight risks over Saudi Arabia as Riyadh airport attacks disrupt travel and Delta weighs an Oct. 23 launch.
cnbc.com
Delta delays debut of Saudi Arabia service until March after Riyadh airport attacks
Delta planned to begin the route on Oct. 23, in what would have marked the first nonstop commercial flight between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.
bbc.co.uk
Why some have no choice but to pay costly oil prices
Rural communities are badly hit by the rising cost of heating oil, as our Wiltshire reporter explains.
bbc.co.uk
AI minister warns 'likely' UK's cyber defences will be breached
Kanishka Narayan said the government will use advanced AI to strengthen the UK against cyber attacks.
theguardian.com
Nobel Prize for economics awarded to Hall and Woodford for work on ‘smoothing’ crises
US economists developed models that help central bankers and finance ministers to stabilise their economiesBusiness live – latest updatesTwo US economists have won the 2026 Nobel economics prize for their work developing models that help central bankers and finance ministers to stabilise their countries, avoiding long recessions and runaway inflation.Robert Hall of Stanford University, California, and Michael Woodford of Columbia University, New York, were recognised for developing the “microeconomic foundations of macroeconomic stabilisation”, giving policymakers better tools to smooth out the peaks and troughs of their economies. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Revealed: Nigel Farage adviser had unpublicised role at polling firm
Exclusive: Chris Bruni-Lowe used Redfield & Wilton Strategies role to develop potential campaign tactics, sources sayA close adviser to Nigel Farage had an influential role at a national polling company despite not being publicly associated with the firm, the Guardian can reveal.Chris Bruni-Lowe, Farage’s private pollster for many years, played an important role in the operations of Redfield & Wilton Strategies and used it to develop potential campaign strategies, according to several sources who have worked there. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Why are the Houthis attacking Saudi airports and how are the missiles getting through?
Attacks by Iran-backed group come amid counteroffensive by Yemeni government supported by Riyadh Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Time to tell US raider Saba Capital to get lost – again | Nils Pratley
Boaz Weinstein’s hedge fund is waging an aggressive campaign against the FTSE 250’s Baillie Gifford US Growth TrustBusiness live – latest updatesHere we go again: another episode in the Saba saga, the story of a New York hedge fund causing havoc in the UK investment trust sector by taking big stakes in funds and then demanding change, often in only vague terms.The best that can be said about Saba Capital (and it’s not much) is that its belligerent boss, Boaz Weinstein, has disturbed the complacency that used to infect corners of the UK investment trust world, meaning companies that invest in other companies. It is now harder for a board to do nothing if the share price sits at a wide discount to the value of the underlying assets for long periods. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Huge explosion captured on CCTV after deadly strike hits grocery store in Kharkiv – video
Ukrainian officials said Russian attacks killed six people in two Ukrainian cities on 11 October. In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, a strike on a grocery store killed three people and injured 20 others, including two children, the regional governor, Oleh Syniehubov, said.Footage released by the Kharkiv prosecutor’s office captured the moment of the strike, showing debris flying through the air and fires breaking out as car alarms sounded Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Beckham, Yao Ming attend NBA China Games in a boost to Macao's live events
The NBA China Games brought Chinese and U.S. basketball fans to Macao, which is spending big to broaden its reputation beyond a gambling mecca.
cnbc.com
India’s retail inflation jumps to 5.54% in September, above estimates
India inflations jumps for the 11-straight month, raising prospects of a further interest rate hike
bbc.co.uk
HMV to close Oxford Street store after three years
HMV says it is looking for a new site in London's West End, but its current site is "unviable".
bbc.co.uk
How to avoid getting stung if you miss credit card payments
People are increasingly falling behind on credit card repayments, so here's the best way to get debt advice.
theguardian.com
CCTV from inside Riyadh airport shows moment of deadly airstrike – video
CCTV released by Saudi Arabia shows the moment of an attack on King Khalid international airport that killed 13 people and wounded more than 300 on 10 October. Footage shows passengers queueing, making their way through a security gate and sitting in a waiting area moments before the blast, after which people can be seen scrambling to find cover. The missile struck the part of the airport housing terminals 3 and 4 for domestic flights, a regional official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media.It was the deadliest attack on a Gulf country since the Iran war began on 28 February, and came amid an escalation in the conflict in Yemen between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia and the Riyadh-backed Yemeni governmentRiyadh airport hit again after deadly Houthi missile attack, Saudi authorities say Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Healey faces £35bn Budget challenge to meet spending pledges, says think tank
The Institute for Fiscal Studies says the government will need a "top-up" of billions of pounds if it wants to meet its spending plans.
bbc.co.uk
AI is less regulated than milk, says Microsoft president
Brad Smith calls for global rules on AI, and says the UK is in the "best position" to lead the charge.
theguardian.com
The Gulf has entered a new era of instability. If its leaders think they can rely on old alliances, they are wrong | Nesrine Malik
The latest attack by Houthi rebels on Saudi Arabia may prove to be more calamitous for the region than the world imaginesOn Saturday, Houthi rebels launched a shocking and deadly attack on Saudi Arabia’s capital city, Riyadh. At the time of writing, the missile strike on King Khalid international airport has killed at least 13 people and left 300 injured, marking a significant turn in a regional conflagration that is only getting more intense. It was the single most deadly attack on any Gulf country since the US and Israel launched their war on Iran in February. In Saudi Arabia, a country that is unaccustomed to such fatalities, the death toll is bewilderingly high and likely to prompt a bloody response.Over the past year, the Gulf has entered a new era of instability that is not temporary and cannot be reversed. This may feel like an overstatement – casualties have been relatively low, after all, compared with Gaza and Iran – but the gradual erosion of peace and security in places such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE has changed the region more dramatically than its leaders would like to acknowledge.Nesrine Malik is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
theguardian.com
UK van drivers face extra £2.5bn in diesel costs this year, figures show
Calls for planned fuel duty rise to be scrapped as analysis finds average fuel bill could hit £1,965, up from £1,294Millions of British van drivers face a combined £2.5bn cost to cover the rising price of diesel this year, according to figures, fuelling calls for the government to scrap its planned fuel duty rise.The owners of diesel vans and pickups can expect to collectively spend almost £8.5bn at the pump this year, according to analysis for the Guardian, after diesel prices climbed to record highs due to a global fuel shortage caused by disruption to refineries in the Middle East and Russia. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Drivers forced to use parking apps can pay up to 40% more
Council car parks have switched away from ticket machines to cut costs, leading to extra fees for usersDrivers are unwittingly paying up to 40% more to park as more councils switch to app-only payments and force customers to pick up the tab.Many councils across England have removed pay and display machines and replaced them with app payments, including a number in London. Most local authorities encourage drivers to pay by app to beat queues, while apps are often the only way to pay when ticket machines are out of order. However, many car park signs fail to mention that app payments may incur an additional service fee. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Father was asked for DNA test to get a passport for his daughter
New post-Brexit rules mean that dual nationals cannot enter the UK unless they have a British passportMy teenage daughter is unable to see her grandparents because of the UK’s new requirement for dual nationals to hold a UK passport.I’m a UK citizen, married to a French national, and we live in France. Our two older children have both French and UK passports. Our third child was born while we were living in Zimbabwe and only has a French passport. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
IFS: budget will be ‘work of fiction’ without clear plan to cover UK’s £35bn spending pressures
Thinktank’s influential pre-budget report urges key decisions to be made now and not put off until next yearJohn Healey has been warned by Britain’s leading tax and spending experts that his budget risks being a “work of fiction” unless he sets out plans to cover £35bn in spending pressures.As the war in the Middle East rattles the public finances, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said the damage from higher inflation meant the chancellor would need to either top up funds for his current government spending plans or impose deep real-terms cuts by the end of the decade. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Documents falsified to evade tax on Abramovich's wealth, BBC finds
Backdated paperwork also made the Russian oligarch’s yachts and mansions disappear from accounts, investigation finds.
theguardian.com
Roman Abramovich aides falsified paperwork to disguise assets and dodge tax, records suggest
Accountancy firm Deloitte Cyprus among those that appear to have backdated records outlining the Russian billionaire’s assetsAides of Roman Abramovich – including staff at the global accountancy firm Deloitte – falsified paperwork mapping the oligarch’s sprawling offshore business empire, records suggest, helping his businesses dodge tax and disguise assets.New analysis of leaked corporate records uncovers what appears to have been a long-running and carefully orchestrated strategy of backdating documents. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Why China is importing a record amount of gold — and what it means for prices
Beijing’s push to diversify away from the dollar and Chinese households’ search for a safe place to put their savings has fueled China’s record gold buying.
bbc.co.uk
Roofing scammers con homeowners out of thousands of pounds
One in 10 scams reported to Citizens Advice relate to fraudsters charging for work not done, or done badly.
bbc.co.uk
Trump faces growing backlash over plans to import diesel from Russia
Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have criticised the deal, which was announced weeks before the US midterm elections.
bbc.co.uk
Citroen revives the 2CV for an electric age
The French firm is reinventing the classic model as carmakers come under pressure from Chinese rivals.
theguardian.com
Trump’s deal with Putin will have little impact on US diesel prices, experts say
Analysts say fuel will take weeks to ship and quantity is too small to affect prices, while full deal is unlikely to be met given damage to Russian refineriesTrump announces partial ceasefire but Zelenskyy says deal is ‘news to me’Donald Trump’s deal with Vladimir Putin to temporarily lift sanctions on US imports of Russian diesel will have little “meaningful” effect on motorists and businesses in the US and overseas, energy and foreign policy analysts have predicted.The US president infuriated Volodymyr Zelenskyy when he announced the deal on Friday, writing on Truth Social that the agreement with his Russia counterpart to supply millions of tonnes of diesel was essential to reduce fuel prices in the US, which have soared after his decision to go to war against Iran. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Why a Chilean salt flat is a microcosm of the extractive frontiers of green capitalism
In the Atacama desert, the extraction of lithium – so crucial to addressing the climate crisis – comes with escalating social and environmental costsA high-altitude desert plateau traverses Argentina, Bolivia and Chile. I am on the Chilean side, sitting in a Jeep along with two other researchers. The afternoon air is thin and brisk but the sun is piercing – a combination I am familiar with from years of living and travelling in South America’s Andean range.The landscape is a study in contrasts and contours: broad basins suddenly cut off by sweeping curves; flat expanses sliced by near vertical ascents. The Licancabur volcano looms large above us. Vegetation and humidity levels change rapidly with the rising altitude, bringing cooler temperatures, wetter air and denser plant life. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
US’s Reagan-era economic promises return as Trump’s AI-fueled growth fantasy
‘Even if AI supercharged the economy, its impact on the government’s finances would be muted’Back through political history to the age of Ronald Reagan, Republicans have repeatedly promised the US public that tax cuts would pay for themselves, firing up economic growth and filling the government’s coffers.The promise never really panned out. From the Gipper’s day on, the Republicans’ tax cuts inevitably increased the budget deficit. Despite its failure, though, the promise is back, coated in a fine new layer of artificial intelligence pixie dust. It will fail again. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Some aren’t going to make it’: how pressure on farmers threatens UK food security
Food producers are adding their voices to the chorus of warnings about the vulnerability of British supply chains“There are so many decent, capable, productive, efficient arable farmers out there, asking how they are supposed to finance the crop they are meant to be putting in the ground,” Jamie Burrows says.Sitting in his tractor at his arable farm in Norfolk, Burrows is listing the multiple challenges facing him and other food producers. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Labour has got the message – developing nations suffer most from bond market turmoil | Heather Stewart
Just as Brown and Blair did in 2005, Andy Burnham aims to champion debt relief to help developing countriesDeveloping nations face triple shock, UN warnsFrom Washington to Paris, London to Tokyo, policymakers in every large economy have been counting the costs of bond market turmoil in recent weeks. But the brunt of the pain is being borne by heavily indebted developing countries that have little hope of influencing the whims of global investors, but pay the price regardless.Markets have responded to the war in the Middle East, and a spendthrift White House, by dumping government bonds – driving up borrowing costs just about everywhere. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Halloweenmas’: how the spooky one-nighter turned into a month-long spectacular
Welcome to Halloweenmas, weeks of themed fun and gifts – from costume parties to decorating trees – without the stress, rules or cost of ChristmasThe tree is up, the wreath is hanging on the front door and you’ve just opened your advent calendar. All told, it’s beginning to feel a lot like … Halloween.If it sounds like the stuff of nightmares then that’s the point: Britons are increasingly decorating their homes with ghoulish versions of Christmas traditions. Think of it as Halloweenmas. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘You have a meeting’: the calendar phishing scam growing exponentially
Appointment or renewal reminder appears in victims’ calendar to lure them into logging in to fake Google, Microsoft or PayPal pageYou’re preparing for the week ahead and take a look at your Google calendar. There’s an entry for a meeting that you must have completely forgotten. The note that pops up when you click on it says you’ll be reviewing a project and includes a link to more details. Confused, you follow it to find out more; the website you land on asks for logon details, and you provide them.Unfortunately, this was not a failure of your memory but a calendar phishing scam. You have handed your name and password to fraudsters who will sell it on in a batch with other people’s details, use it to break into your work email, or to persuade you that they are contacting you from your bank, or another institution. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Developing nations face triple shock from energy crisis, El Niño and borrowing costs, UN warns
UN’s development arm calls for urgent action as crises could ‘throw tens if not hundreds of millions back into poverty’Developing countries face a triple shock from the energy crisis, El Niño and surging borrowing costs and need urgent support from the international community, the UN’s development arm has warned.Speaking before the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok this week, the UNDP’s administrator, Alexander De Croo, called for “solidarity and global action”. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Squeezy olive oil bottles, Meghan’s pot filler tap and the rise of ‘cheffy’ kit in home kitchens
Social media ‘chefluencers’ and open restaurant kitchens have made chefs more visible and inspired aspirational gadget-buyingThe Duchess of Sussex is no ordinary home cook, but when Meghan appeared on Instagram this week at a hob presided over by a special pot filler tap, it spoke to a shift in the everyday kitchen – the rise of “cheffy” kit.While the pot filler is now most often found in luxury residential kitchens, it was reportedly invented in the early 20th century as a functional fixture for commercial kitchens. It joins a wealth of other restaurant equipment to have infiltrated our homes, from squeezy olive oil bottles to stainless steel mixing bowl sets. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Money Box
What age will you get your state pension?
theguardian.com
‘Our town is making jeans again’: meet the firm reviving jobs and skills in Wales
In the first article in a series on high end British manufacturing, we visit the Hiut Denim factory in CardiganWorn on the streets of London’s Soho, San Francisco or Sydney, every pair of high-end jeans made by Hiut Denim comes from the rather unlikely location of a small coastal town in west Wales.Cardigan, with a population of just 4,200, has a proud history of denim production and was once home to Britain’s largest jeans factory, even if the town’s name recalls a different garment entirely. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Create new pre-apprenticeship scheme to close youth unemployment gap, says Milburn
Exclusive: Former minister’s review warns that dramatic action is needed over huge drop in youth apprenticeship startsA national apprenticeship readiness scheme should be introduced in England to close the gap for young people between leaving school and starting work, the government is to be told.Alan Milburn, who is leading a major review into Britain’s youth jobs crisis, will call for a new “national pre-apprenticeship route” to offer young people further education, training and work experience. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
France’s dilemma: protesters demand spending as markets require fiscal restraint
Waves of protests expose debt crisis faced by French government, but political wrangling is stalling an escape plan. Is there a way out?Eight years have passed since rising fuel prices brought the gilets jaunes (yellow vest) demonstrators to the streets of France, prompting the first big crisis of Emmanuel Macron’s time in the Élysée Palace.As the French president contemplates his exit next year, turmoil has again gripped the streets in the form of student protests, but this time the financial markets are unhappy too. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Lost generation: the AI threat to Britain’s next great directors
Commercials once launched careers from Ridley Scott to Guy Ritchie, now automated production is cutting costs – and the chance to learn by doingWhen Ridley Scott was awarded the UK’s highest accolade for a glittering career directing films from Alien and Blade Runner to Gladiator and The Martian, he reminded those attending the Bafta event eight years ago that making commercials had been his “film school”.The advertising industry has long been a breeding ground for British film and TV talent who have gone on to make the jump to Hollywood productions, including Guy Ritchie, who started out making music videos and commercials, and Paddington in Peru director Dougal Wilson, whose credits include a number of John Lewis’s famous Christmas ads. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Heathrow’s third runway is a bottomless money pit. Stop it now | Simon Jenkins
It won’t promote growth, will take decades and will swallow up billions of taxpayers’ money. The only winner will be the airport’s ownersInfrastructure sends politicians berserk. Propose more money for the health service or reopening youth clubs and frowns break out all round. Can we afford it? But shout infrastructure and cheers go up. The word suggests glamour, chest-beating and “growth”. Reason flies out of the window.The saga of Heathrow’s third runway beggars belief. A foreign-owned private company wants to make more money out of its cramped west London investment. The airlines are sceptical and passengers will have to pay surcharges higher than any in Europe. Meanwhile fields lie empty round its rival, Gatwick, and capacity at London’s third airport, Stansted, is underused.Simon Jenkins is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Why are there so many sports subscriptions?
Pete Oliver of DAZN explains why the is a growing number of sports subscriptions and why they are getting more expensive.
bbc.co.uk
Why are more roofs not made of solar tiles?
Solar tiles were touted as an attractive alternative to solar panels - why have they not taken off?
bbc.co.uk
Business Daily
Economic conditions around the world are making young people rise up in protest
bbc.co.uk
How oil-rich Alberta's economy might fare if it broke away from Canada
Albertans vote this month on staying in Canada or moving ahead to a binding independence referendum.
bbc.co.uk
Rainmakers: The drones used to seed clouds
Cloud seeding is gaining attention as countries look to boost rainfall - will drones help?
bbc.co.uk
The AI telling farmers when to harvest
Will farmers want AI tools to help judge when to pick fruit, or is their own intuition enough?
bbc.co.uk
The start-ups hoping to return battery making to the US
Batteries based on sodium-ion technology could be made in the US with locally sourced materials.
bbc.co.uk
My hometown shows that high streets have to change or die
Aberdeen is launching an ambitious bid to revive its struggling centre. Could it offer lessons for other high streets?
bbc.co.uk
Europe's car makers are in crisis. Will the threat of war rescue them?
Auto executives across Europe hope rearmament can help them flex their industrial muscles once more.
bbc.co.uk
X-planes: Are they needed in the new era of drones?
Where do America's X-plane projects fit in an era of cheap drones?
bbc.co.uk
How the oil capital of the US welcomed a solar power boom
Texas is now the country's biggest producer of solar-farmed electricity.
bbc.co.uk
Spain battles climate change on several fronts
A summer of wildfires and heatwaves underlines the threats to the country's economy.
bbc.co.uk
The virtual worlds where robots are trained
Training systems that allow robots to negotiate the real world are getting more sophisticated.
bbc.co.uk
Would you buy branded clothing from your favourite tech firm?
Nvidia, OpenAI and Anthropic are all now selling their own limited edition fashion lines.
bbc.co.uk
Aviation faces hotter, stormier skies – and passengers might have to accept more disruption
Are people going to have to increasingly accept more delays and diversions as the effects of climate change intensify?
bbc.co.uk
Why the UK is dithering over what to do about e-scooters
Why is it taking so long for the government to regulate them, and what are the consequences of delay?
bbc.co.uk
Why Gen Z are planning for life without a state pension
Many younger people do not believe the state pension will exist when they are older
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